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Reds secure Argentine midfielder

Adelaide United FC is pleased to officially announce that 28 year old Argentinean midfielder Marcelo Carrusca has agreed to terms to join the Reds for the next two years pending a successful medical clearance.

Adelaide United FC is pleased to officially announce that 28 year old Argentinean midfielder Marcelo Carrusca has agreed to terms to join the Reds for the next two years pending a successful medical clearance.

Carrusca, who also holds a Portuguese passport, played for San Martín de San Juan in the Argentine Primera División last season and played his last competitive match just four weeks ago in a 1st Division play-off against Rosario Central.

Carrusca is a product of Estudiantes de La Plata's famed youth system, making 135 senior appearances for the club.

In 2006 Carrusca signed for arguably Turkey-s biggest club, Galatasaray for a reported 2 million Euro transfer fee, where he featured in two UEFA Champions League games and two UEFA Cup matches before being loaned to Mexican Primera División-s Cruz Azul in 2008.

Carrusca has also represented his home country at Under 20 level, having competed at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, and Adelaide United Football Director Michael Petrillo is excited by what the midfielder could bring to the table.

“All of our reports have indicated that Marcelo is a high quality player and individual,” Petrillo said.

“We are extremely pleased to have a player of this quality agree to terms with our club. He is a player who has played at some big clubs around the world and comes at a great time in his career.”

“At 28 years of age he will also bring experience gained over many years in top flight football such as the European Champions League, UEFA Cup as well as Copa Libertadores and Copa Sud Americana..”

“He ticks all the boxes that Kossie (John Kosmina) has been looking for in the type of player he wants and we are expecting him to not only add some real quality to our play but he is also an exciting type of player that not only our fans but football fans in general will want to see in the A-League.”

Carrusca is expected to arrive in Australia within the coming days and providing he passes his medical, all paperwork will be lodged in a bid to secure his international clearance and visa to register him in time for the AFC Champions League Knockout Stage.